[rc]

Actually before you can even get to the point of “getting things done” you need to get started…while it took me awhile to get my own blog started, I have been working with blogs, custom designing etc. for several years now. Wordpress is my blog (platform) of choice. I have made and continue to make custom themes (designs) for others through Wordpress. It’s easy to get started, set up, and either host on Wordpress directly or through another source. Personally I prefer Bluehost because of their seamless integration and quick setup.

So once you have all of this figured out, it’s important to have an idea of what you are going to be blogging about. You don’t just want to launch with an empty blog and no direction. While I am a big proponent of – learn on the job – kind of mentality when it comes to blogging, it’s still important to have some sort of theme, just as you did with your design.

First you need to decide what you are using your blog for…is it for you personally to share your thoughts and experiences, or are you using it to blog about business related stuff. The two are in fact quite different and will as a result draw different audiences. The choice is ultimately your depending on what your goals are.

I recommend you sort through the following; (1) establish clear, definitive goals and determine what desired actions convert visitors into leads (Do you plan on using your blog to capture leads? etc.), (2) make sure to keep the HTML coding clean (if you are not familiar with these practices I advise that you consult a professional, (3) don’t forget your users and site usability, (4) remember that a blog redesign is a project and should be managed as such, (5) set up a realistic schedule and manage expectations (Rome wasn’t built in a day, and your Wordpress blog won’t be either).

Good luck on your start. The hardest part is really getting started…well really it’s not even that hard. Just do it, and you’ll see how easy it is to get things done.